Inhaled biomimetic peptides to rapidly clear drug‑resistant lung tuberculosis
Biomimetic Peptide Aerosols for Rapid Clearance of Pulmonary MDR Tuberculosis
An inhaled, engineered peptide treatment aimed at quickly killing drug‑resistant tuberculosis bacteria in the lungs of people with pulmonary MDR‑TB.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257646 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to deliver engineered, protein‑mimicking peptides as an inhaled aerosol that targets Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lungs. The peptides are designed to self‑assemble in the mycobacterial outer membrane and trigger rapid, TB‑specific bacterial killing while sparing helpful lung bacteria and tissue. Researchers plan to combine these peptides with approved TB antibiotics to boost their potency and explore ways to improve lung retention and delivery. The work includes preclinical testing of aerosol formulations and studies of how the peptides interact with antibiotics to shorten treatment time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with confirmed pulmonary multidrug‑resistant tuberculosis (MDR‑TB) who are candidates for adjunctive inhaled therapy would be the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People with latent TB, only extrapulmonary TB, or those unable to use inhaled treatments (for example very young children or those with certain severe lung conditions) may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could clear MDR‑TB in the lungs much faster, shorten long treatment courses, reduce systemic drug exposure, and improve cure rates and adherence.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work by the team showed rapid, TB‑specific bacteriolysis and synergy with antibiotics, but inhaled biomimetic peptides for MDR‑TB are a novel approach with limited clinical testing to date.
Where this research is happening
University Park, United States
- Pennsylvania State University, the — University Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Medina, Scott Hammond — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Medina, Scott Hammond
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.